US Commercial fiction Literary Agents

Literary and commercial adult fiction

A range of literary and commercial adult fiction

Check agent's submission page

Fiction, nonfiction, memoir, biography, history, business, health, science, pop culture, current affairs, narrative nonfiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction

Wants: Personal recommendation only

Joëlle represents adult fiction and nonfiction. The agency no longer accepts children's books, YA, middle grade, picture books, screenplays, novellas or poetry.

Joelle Delbourgo Associates is currently closed to queries except through personal recommendation.

Upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, psychological thriller, contemporary romance, romantic comedy, young adult, science fiction, paranormal romance, thriller, nonfiction, cookbooks, memoir, self-help, lifestyle

Mariah is interested in upmarket and commercial adult fiction, women's fiction, psychological thrillers, contemporary romance and rom-coms, young adult science fiction, paranormal romance, thrillers and contemporary romance, plus nonfiction including cookbooks, memoirs, self-help, lifestyle and how-to.

Mariah is currently closed to submissions.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, young adult, middle grade, narrative nonfiction

Penelope represents literary and commercial fiction in adult, YA, and middle grade, as well as some narrative nonfiction. She is looking for an engaging voice.

Penelope Burns is currently closed to queries. Gelfman Schneider says any queries not following current guidelines are deleted unread and that all listed agents are currently closed or referral-only.

Narrative nonfiction, literary commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, legal thriller, psychological thriller, domestic thriller, biography, history, science, sports, travel

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Anne-Lise Spitzer is president of Spitzer Agency. Current public materials describe interest in narrative nonfiction from writers with diverse voices, literary commercial fiction, mysteries, legal, psychological, and domestic thrillers, plus biography, history, science, sports, and travel.

The Spitzer Agency site says it is not accepting new clients for representation at this time.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's books, illustrators, commercial fiction, literary fiction, diverse voices

Marietta B. Zacker is Co-owner and Literary Agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. She is always looking for visual and narrative stories that reflect the world as it is rather than narrow bubbles, loves books that make readers feel, and avoids projects that set out mainly to teach a lesson. Across young adult, middle grade, and picture books, she looks for stories where young readers can identify with the actions and reactions of the characters, not the perspective of the author or illustrator, and where diversity is inherent and authentic. She is excited by soulful, insightful, well-crafted literary or commercial projects for any age group from young adult to the youngest readers.

Marietta B. Zacker is currently closed to queries according to the official Gallt and Zacker submissions page. When GZLA agents are open, the agency asks writers to choose one person to query, query only one GZLA agent at a time, and use the agent link on the submissions page.

Upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, young adult, horror, speculative fiction, gothic fiction, mythology, folklore retellings, romance

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Elizabeth represents thought-provoking upmarket and commercial fiction for adult and YA audiences, especially lush prose, complex characters, creative genre blends, boundary-pushing horror and speculative fiction, psychological terror, gothic atmosphere, macabre humor, dark mythology and folklore retellings, and unexpected love stories.

Elizabeth is open only to referral and submission invitations, such as conference invitations. Existing pending submissions via Copps Literary Services QueryTracker remain under consideration. Queries sent by email or contact form will not be considered.

Book club fiction, literary fiction, nonfiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction

Jamie Chambliss is drawn to literary and upmarket or book club fiction, and to narrative nonfiction, especially work dealing with food, pop culture, the quirks of human nature, stories within science and sports, and forgotten corners of history.

Jamie Chambliss is currently closed to queries according to her official Folio profile.

Fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, thriller, fantasy, nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, first several chapters, proposal

Jennifer Herrera is currently open to fiction queries and closed to unsolicited nonfiction queries. In fiction, she loves character-driven thrillers, upmarket book club fiction, and imaginative fantasy. Her nonfiction interests include books about big ideas, especially smart, issue-driven work from journalists and writers with professional expertise in science, psychology, philosophy, economics, prescriptive, lifestyle, history, and the stories of underrepresented groups.

Jennifer Herrera is currently closed through her official linked QueryManager or QueryTracker page because she is only open to queries from the 1st through the 14th of each month. When open, submit fiction through the official QueryManager or QueryTracker link. The David Black submissions page says to query only one agent at a time, include a concise query letter, and for fiction include the first several chapters. Nonfiction queries should include a proposal, but Jennifer is currently closed to unsolicited nonfiction.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, biography

Joy Harris works primarily with literary fiction, strongly written commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction across a broad range of topics, memoir, and biography. She is drawn to a clear, original voice, an engaging point of view, and strong characters.

The Joy Harris Literary Agency is not accepting unsolicited submissions at this time according to its official contact page.

Commercial fiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction, new adult, adult fiction, romance, women's fiction, horror, dark comedy, satire, weird fiction, lgbtq and, black stories, paranormal romance

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Kaylyn is a junior literary agent interested in commercial, upmarket, and literary fiction for New Adult and adult audiences. She is seeking romance, women's fiction, horror, dark comedies and satires, weird fiction, Black stories and LGBTQ+ stories not centered around trauma, unique takes on classic stories, and paranormal romances.

Kaylyn Aldridge's QueryManager route is currently closed and says to check back in December, June, or July.

Fiction, nonfiction, commercial fiction, debut authors, self-published authors, subrights

Louise Fury founded The Fury Agency in 2023 after 13 years in the industry. The official site describes The Fury Agency as a boutique, full-service literary agency in New York City focused on traditional book deals, subrights for self-published titles, and multi-platform approaches that monetize multiple revenue streams and grow author careers. Its authors page lists New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and internationally bestselling authors as well as debut authors and successful self-published bestsellers.

The Fury Agency is currently closed to submissions according to the official contact page.

Fiction, nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, book club fiction, thrillers, mystery, speculative fiction, historical fiction, narrative nonfiction, big idea nonfiction, wellness, history, sports, collaborative writers

Mark Tavani is VP of Business Strategy and Literary Agent at the David Black Literary Agency. He represents both fiction and nonfiction. His fiction list includes a wide range of literary and commercial fiction, book club novels, thrillers, mysteries, speculative fiction, and historical fiction, especially fiction that entertains and enriches readers. In nonfiction, he represents work that illuminates or inspires and works with experts and journalists, especially in narrative nonfiction, big ideas, wellness, history, and sports. He also represents collaborative writers who partner with authors in those spaces.

Mark Tavani is not accepting unsolicited queries at this time according to his official David Black profile. The general David Black submissions page lists the agents currently accepting new queries, and Mark Tavani is not listed there.

Upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Rose focuses on stylistically subversive and thematically layered fiction, upmarket and smart commercial fiction with inventive structures, emotional depth, distinctive voices, braided narratives, unexpected points of view, and prose that takes creative risks.

Rose Conway is closed to queries and the Confluence submissions page says she will reopen via QueryTracker on 2026-05-01.

Adult fiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, romance, psychological thriller, cozy mystery, memoir, young adult, middle grade, humor

Saba Sulaiman is Senior Agent at Talcott Notch. She is currently closed, but when open she looks for adult upmarket literary and commercial fiction, romance except paranormal, character-driven psychological thrillers, cozy mysteries, and memoir; young adult in all subgenres except paranormal, fantasy, and science fiction, especially contemporary realistic YA with heart, humor, and personality; middle grade that is smart, accessible, funny, sweet, or written with flair; and humor nonfiction. She looks for strong voices, unconventional narratives, complex relationships, fresh perspectives, multicultural perspectives, and themes of immigration, displacement, and cultural adjustment.

Saba Sulaiman is currently closed to queries according to her official Talcott Notch profile.

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, mystery, thriller, crime fiction, young adult, narrative nonfiction, science writing, business books, history

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Sandra represents adult commercial and literary fiction, mystery, thriller and crime fiction, YA, narrative nonfiction, accessible science writing, business books, and history.

Sandra Bond is closed to all queries, her client list is full.

Adult fiction, adult nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, food writing, cookbooks, memoir

Sharon Bowers is a literary agent at Folio Literary Management. She began her career as an editor at HarperCollins and has been an agent for over two decades. She represents award-winning novelists and a diverse list of nonfiction, including chefs and food writers.

Sharon Bowers is currently closed to submissions according to her official Folio profile.

Literary nonfiction, narrative journalism, commercial fiction, adult fiction, adult nonfiction

Stuart Krichevsky founded Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency in 1995 after a fifteen-year career at Sterling Lord Literistic. His official team profile says he has over four decades of agency experience, has represented dozens of New York Times bestsellers, and has a focus on literary nonfiction, narrative journalism, and commercial fiction.

Stuart Krichevsky is currently closed to queries according to the official Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency submissions page.

Commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, pop culture, music, inspirational, thriller, literary fiction, foreign rights

Susan Raihofer is Literary Agent and Foreign Rights Director at the David Black Literary Agency. She focuses on commercial fiction and nonfiction, including memoir, pop culture, music, inspirational work, thrillers, and a selective amount of literary fiction. Her official profile says her pop sensibility and literary heart come together around projects with soul and an edge.

Susan Raihofer is currently not accepting unsolicited queries according to her official David Black profile. The official David Black submissions page lists only other agents as currently accepting new queries.

Upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, young adult, literary fiction, suspense, supernatural horror, speculative romance, romantasy, fantasy, adventure, romance, science fiction, magical fabulism, romantic comedy, speculative thriller

Victoria Marini is Agent and Founder at High Line Literary Collective. Her list spans upmarket and commercial adult and young adult work, from literary page-turners to commercial suspense, supernatural horror, whimsical speculative romantasy, big-world fantasy, adventure, romance, edgy science fiction, grounded magical fabulism, rom-coms, and speculative thrillers. She likes unforgettable authentic characters, hooky concepts with strong plotting and an emotional core, unique voices or visions, quirk, mystery, small-town hysteria, atmosphere, secrets, things that go bump in the night, charm, magic, and humor.

Victoria Marini is currently closed to queries according to her official High Line profile. Requested Thrillerfest 2025 materials have a specific official QueryTracker link, but general unsolicited queries are closed.

Adult fiction, adult nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, women's fiction, memoir, history, biography, psychology, popular culture, current affairs, science, parenting, cookbooks

Robin Straus Agency represents high quality adult fiction and nonfiction, including literary and commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, women's fiction, memoir, history, biography, psychology, popular culture, current affairs, science, parenting, and cookbooks.

Robin Straus Agency is not accepting new unsolicited submissions at this time according to the official submissions page.

Commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime fiction, mystery, suspense, book club fiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction

Rebecca Scherer is an agent at Jane Rotrosen Agency. She represents commercial fiction across genres, with particular interest in women's fiction, crime and mystery, suspense, book club fiction, and upmarket or literary-leaning fiction.

Rebecca Scherer is presently closed to queries except by referral according to her official JRA contact page.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, poetry, underrepresented voices, lgbtq and voices, bipoc voices

Monica Odom is founder and agent at Odom Media Management. The agency represents literary and commercial fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and serious nonfiction, with a foundational commitment to underrepresented voices, especially writers who identify as LGBTQ and/or people of color.

Odom Media Management is currently closed to unsolicited submissions according to its official submissions page. The page says to check back with Monica Odom's QueryManager page for any updates about whether she is open to queries.

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, nonfiction, history, military history, biography, narrative nonfiction

Michael Congdon is President of Don Congdon Associates. He has represented a variety of commercial and literary fiction as well as nonfiction, including history, military history, biography, and narrative nonfiction.

Michael Congdon is no longer taking on new clients and is permanently closed to queries according to the official Don Congdon Associates agents page.

Commercial fiction, select nonfiction, book club fiction, historical fiction, women's fiction, older young adult, fantasy, contemporary fiction, crime fiction, thrillers, suspense, mystery, romance, psychological horror, magical realism

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, requested materials

Marlene Stringer represents commercial fiction and select nonfiction. Her official wishlist includes book club fiction that straddles the commercial/literary line, historical fiction, contemporary and historical women's fiction, older YA in fantasy and contemporary, crime fiction, all types of thrillers, suspense, all types of mysteries, romance except erotic romance, psychological horror, and magical realism.

StringerLit uses QueryManager and accepts queries only through the linked form, but Marlene Stringer's official linked QueryManager page currently says she is closed to catch up on requested manuscripts. When open, use the official QueryManager link only, queries sent otherwise are deleted unread. Submit to only one StringerLit agent at a time and only one manuscript at a time.

Fiction, nonfiction, romance, genre fiction, commercial fiction

Lori Perkins is the founder of L. Perkins Agency and founding agent at LPA. The official site says she has sold more than 2,000 titles, has had multiple New York Times bestsellers, oversees all aspects of the agency, and currently represents only a few select clients while splitting her time with Riverdale Avenue Books.

Lori Perkins is currently closed to all queries according to the official L. Perkins Agency page.

Adult fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, suspense, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, middle grade, young adult, children's fiction, children's nonfiction, business books, diverse voices

Lisa Abellera represents adult literary, upmarket/book club, women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, suspense, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, and crossover speculative fiction. In children's fiction she represents all fiction genres in middle grade and YA. She responds to well-crafted prose, strong hooks, high personal stakes, complex and sympathetic characters, tangible sense of place, lush world-building, non-Western cultural aspects, emotionally immersive fiction, and underrepresented voices. In limited nonfiction, she is looking for middle grade prescriptive projects and adult prescriptive business books for women or by women.

KC and A links Lisa Abellera's QueryMe or QueryManager form from the official team page. The linked form currently says Lisa Abellera is not accepting unsolicited queries, so there is no open submission route at this time.

Adult fiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, thrillers, mystery, book club fiction, historical fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, women's issues, cross-cultural nonfiction, history, humor, quirky nonfiction

Wants: Query letter

Liza Dawson specializes in smart, plot-driven bestselling fiction; memorable, confidently written literary fiction; page-turning thrillers with spycraft, foreign intrigue, or unusual careers; mysteries with brainy detectives; literary fiction for book clubs; and breakout historical novels. In nonfiction she is drawn to cross-cultural and women's issues by experts, narrative history, memoirs about escape from closed or repressive societies, and books by journalists and poets making sense of place, race, the environment, Wall Street, Washington, or the South.

Liza Dawson is currently closed to queries according to her official profile. Her profile says to send only a query letter in the body of the email to queryliza@lizadawsonassociates.com, and the agency submissions page says to query only one Liza Dawson Associates agent at a time.

Adult fiction, narrative nonfiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, romance, retellings, beach reads, family drama, amish romance, clean fiction, historical fiction, psychological suspense, domestic suspense, history, biography, science, sports, memoir

Lindsay Guzzardo is founder of Keystone Literary Agency and a literary agent for adult fiction and nonfiction. She is drawn to high-concept, commercial premises with clear, marketable hooks and strong voices. Her fiction tastes include classic retellings, beach reads, family dynamics, mother-daughter and sister relationships, Amish romance and fiction, wholesome clean fiction and romance, cozy small-town romance and fiction, rich historical fiction, fiction featuring historical figures, European-set fiction, dark psychological and domestic suspense, and past/present family dramas. She welcomes nonfiction proposals from journalists and experts in history, biography, science, sports, narrative nonfiction, and memoir with a strong platform.

Submit through Lindsay Guzzardo's official QueryManager form during the first week of the month. The linked QueryManager page was checked on 2026-05-25 and says she is not accepting queries at this time because she opens during the first week of the month.

Fiction, nonfiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction

Kimberley Cameron represents both fiction and nonfiction manuscripts, with the exception of romance, children's books, and screenplays. While working largely by referral, she is always looking for exceptional writing in any field, particularly writing that touches the heart and makes readers feel something.

Kimberley Cameron is currently closed to submissions indefinitely and is only reviewing projects on a referral basis according to her official linked QueryManager page. KC and A uses QueryManager and does not accept submissions through email.

Commercial fiction, upmarket women's fiction, romance, romantic comedy, paranormal romance, romantasy, young adult, middle grade, science fiction, fantasy, horror, thrillers, nonfiction, own voices, feminist literature

Lauren Bieker is a literary agent and vice president at FinePrint. She is looking for commercial and upmarket women's fiction, romance including rom-coms, paranormal, and romantasy, YA and MG novels in most genres, and adult and YA science fiction, fantasy, horror, and thrillers. She primarily wants fiction but will consider nonfiction proposals, and she is looking for own voices stories, feminist and MeToo stories, and work by BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ authors.

FinePrint directs authors to check Lauren Bieker's status and submit through her official QueryManager page. The linked QueryManager page currently says Lauren Bieker is not accepting queries, so there is no open submission route at this time.

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy

Jessica Felleman represents a range of creators, loves fresh stories about magic, and looks for commercial and literary fiction featuring underserved voices, unforgettable places, and complicated families.

Jessica Felleman is currently closed to queries according to her official linked QueryManager page, which says she closed on May 19 after her inbox crossed 800 new queries. Her official agency page says she accepts queries via QueryManager only.

Nonfiction, fiction, politics, current events, biography, memoir, practical nonfiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction

Gary Morris has worked on books in many categories, including politics and current events, biography, memoir, practical nonfiction, commercial fiction, and literary fiction.

Gary Morris is currently not accepting unsolicited queries. The David Black Agency submissions page lists the agents currently accepting new queries, and Gary Morris is not listed there as open.

Nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, big idea books, literary fiction, commercial fiction, children's books, illustrated books

Gillian MacKenzie represents journalists, experts, academics, literary writers, nonfiction, select fiction, children's titles, and illustrated books. She is particularly drawn to cross-disciplinary explorations, narrative nonfiction, and big-idea books that offer a new lens onto the world.

Gillian MacKenzie is not accepting unsolicited submissions. The Gillian MacKenzie Agency submissions page says the agency is currently closed to unsolicited queries.

Commercial romantic comedy, speculative fiction, thriller, upmarket fiction, book club fiction

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Maria represents a broad range of fiction from commercial rom-coms to radical speculative fiction, subversive thrillers, and upmarket book club fiction. She is drawn to character-driven stories, unusual perspectives, genre-bending work, and pitchable high concepts.

Maria Napolitano will reopen to queries in the first half of 2026 according to KT Literary's official agents page.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, adult nonfiction, christian fiction, new adult, women's fiction, book club fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, sweet romance, historical nonfiction, memoir

Mara Cobb is an agent at Lighthouse Literary. She is drawn to strong and feisty protagonists, antagonists with redemptive arcs, curveball plots, surprising twists, and books that are impossible to put down. Her wishlist includes MG with spunky characters navigating life changes with joy and humor; YA with believable, authentic characters, including dystopian, contemporary, and romance; adult Christian fiction, new adult, women's fiction, book club fiction, contemporary, historical, and sweet romance; and adult nonfiction including historical nonfiction, relevant topics for today's readers, and occasional memoir with a strong author platform.

Mara Cobb uses QueryTracker or QueryManager, but the official linked form currently says she is not accepting queries and expects to open again in spring 2026.